Sport

Wheater suspended for must-win games

Adam Wheater has been suspended for Hampshire's next two Royal London One-Day Cup matches.

The Hampshire wicketkeeper's show of dissent, after being given out caught behind during last night's defeat to Leicestershire, has resulted in his unavailability for must-win home games against Northants tomorrow (2pm start) and Worcestershire on Monday.

He will be replaced by Michael Bates. All-rounder Matt Coles has also been penalised.

An ECB statement said: During Hampshire’s Royal London One-Day Cup match against Leicestershire on August 6, 2014, Wheater was reported by umpires Mark Benson and Peter Willey for a Level Two breach of the directives: showing serious dissent against an umpire’s decision by word or action.

Wheater had previously received a reprimand and three penalty points following two Level 1 breaches in August 2013.

The penalty for a subsequent breach at Level 2 within 24 months is six penalty points. Wheater has therefore received a total of nine penalty points, triggering an automatic suspension.

He will be suspended from all cricket under the jurisdiction of the ECB until and including Monday, August 11, 2014 –a period which covers Hampshire’s next two First XI fixtures.

Coles was reported during the same match by umpires Mark Benson and Peter Willey for a Level 1 breach of the code: abuse of cricket ground, equipment or fixtures/fittings. The penalty for this offence is a reprimand.

These penalties will remain on their records for a period of two years and the accumulation of nine, 18 or more penalty points in any two year period will result in an automatic suspension.